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Every week, coaches around the state submit their nominations for the Prep Baseball California Player of the Week for NorCal and SoCal. Week 4 Players of the Week honors went to Jack Rudd (Willow Glen, 2026) and Stevie Jones (Corona del Mar, 2026). Rudd continued his strong start to the season, going 8-for-12 with five runs scored and a walk. He is now hitting .467 with consistent production in the lineup. Jones added to his historic career, breaking both the program’s all-time wins and strikeout records. In his latest outing, he struck out 12 over six innings while allowing just one earned run against Capistrano Valley Christian School.

With several other impressive performances across the past week that were in the mix for both awards and deserve recognition, here is a rundown of some of the other standouts of the week. If you wish to nominate someone for Player or Pitcher of the Week, please be sure to fill out this form before noon on Mondays. 

WEEK 4 DIAMOND NOTES

+ Ty Diaz, SS (West Ranch, 2026) — CSU Fullerton commit

Diaz had a massive week at the plate and on the mound for West Ranch. The shortstop went a perfect 5-for-5 with two home runs, a triple, two doubles, and six runs scored. Diaz also contributed on the mound, earning a save while continuing to impact the game in multiple ways.

+ Oliver Pannese, RHP (Francis Parker, 2026) — NYU commit

Pannese got the season opener started on the right note, striking out seven over four scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed just one walk while showing improved velocity, reaching a personal best of 93 mph.

+ Evan Alexander, RHP (Harvard-Westlake, 2026) — Penn commit

Alexander delivered a dominant outing against Sierra Canyon. The right-hander tossed six innings, allowing just one hit while striking out nine in a shutout performance. The outing also pushed his career total to 203 strikeouts.

+ Joe Bell, LHP (La Canada, 2027)

Bell turned in one of the top performances of the week, tossing a complete game no-hitter in a 4-0 win over St. Francis. The left-hander struck out seven and walked three across seven dominant innings.

+ Tyler Brereton, RF (Arcadia, 2027)

Brereton continued his strong season with a productive game against Muir. The outfielder hit .500 with a double, a home run, five RBIs, and three runs scored. Brereton is now hitting .429 on the season with power continuing to show.

+ Jake Brande, RHP (Rancho Christian, 2026) — Cal Poly SLO commit

Brande delivered a perfect game against Hillcrest in a dominant outing. The right-hander faced the minimum 15 batters across five innings, striking out seven on just 51 pitches. Brande continues to show elite command and efficiency early in the season.

+ Sean Downs, 3B (Rancho Christian, 2026) — Regis commit

Downs had an explosive week at the plate, launching three home runs while adding two doubles, 16 RBIs, and six runs scored. Downs is now hitting .542 on the season with five home runs and 26 RBIs through eight games.

+ Grady Wright, RHP (Foothill, 2026)

Wright tossed a complete game shutout in Foothill’s league opener against El Dorado. The right-hander allowed seven hits while striking out six and did not issue a walk in the strong outing.

+ Evrett Rycroft, P/3B (Foothill, 2027)

Rycroft delivered six shutout innings against Cajon, allowing just three hits while striking out two. The right-hander kept hitters off balance and provided a quality start for Foothill.

+ Caden Lauridsen, RHP (Foothill, 2027)

Lauridsen added to Foothill’s dominant week on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings against Walnut. The right-hander allowed just two hits while striking out three without issuing a walk.

+ Brayden Bianchi, OF/P (Foothill, 2026)

Bianchi came through with timely hitting, breaking games open with key doubles against Cajon and Walnut. The outfielder finished 4-for-6 with two doubles, six RBIs, two runs scored, and two stolen bases.

+ Presley Gaborno, CF (Foothill, 2027)

Gaborno had a productive week at the plate, going 4-for-9 with two doubles, four runs scored, and five stolen bases. His speed and ability to get on base helped spark the Foothill offense.

+ Xavi Cadena, OF (El Dorado, 2026) — CSUF commit

Cadena continued to swing a hot bat, going 4-for-8 with two doubles, a grand slam, six RBIs, and three runs scored. On the season, Cadena is hitting .414 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.

+ Yaya Treto, C (Maranatha, 2027)

Treto had a big week offensively, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Both home runs came in the same game and proved to be go-ahead shots. Treto is now hitting .455 on the season.

+ Kyle Sweeney, LHP (Sacred Heart Prep, 2027) — Notre Dame commit

Sweeney delivered a dominant outing, tossing four no-hit innings while striking out eight. The left-hander has now thrown nine innings on the season, allowing just three hits while striking out 18.

+ Aiden Anaya, P/1B (Torrance, 2027)

Anaya contributed on both sides of the ball, going 2-for-2 with two doubles, a walk, and two RBIs while also throwing three innings with four strikeouts. He is now 3-0 on the season with a 0.368 ERA.

+ Brody Abbot, P/INF (Escalon, 2027)

Abbot delivered a no-hitter in a dominant outing, striking out 11 while walking just one across seven innings. The performance highlighted his ability to command the zone and miss bats.

+ Nico Viramontes, RHP (Estancia, 2026) — Adams State commit

Viramontes threw a complete game shutout in a league opener against Century. The right-hander allowed just two hits while striking out four, continuing his return from injury with a strong outing.

+ Will Bandel, C (Temecula Valley, 2026) — UC Irvine commit

Bandel continued his strong offensive stretch, going 4-for-5 against top competition in Nevada. He collected multiple extra-base hits including a double, triple, and home run while also controlling the running game defensively.

+ Ethan Williams, RHP (Los Gatos, 2026)

Williams delivered a dominant outing on the mound, throwing four innings while allowing just one hit and striking out eight without issuing a walk. His velocity continues to trend upward.

+ Stevie Jones, LHP (Corona del Mar, 2026)

Jones added to his historic career, breaking both the program’s all-time wins and strikeout records. In his latest outing, he struck out 12 over six innings while allowing just one earned run.

+ Jack McGuire, RHP (Villa Park, 2026) — GCU commit

McGuire delivered a strong performance in a win over La Habra. The right-hander threw 6.2 innings while allowing just two hits and one run while striking out ten.

+ Michael Blanco, RHP (Mt. Pleasant, 2026)

Blanco turned in a perfect game, striking out all 15 batters he faced across five innings. The dominant outing showcased complete control and swing-and-miss ability.

+ Sammy Sanderson, 1B/RHP (Buhach Colony, 2026)

Sanderson contributed in all facets of the game during the week. On the mound he earned a win out of the bullpen, while at the plate he hit a three-run home run and finished with five RBIs. He also provided strong defense with multiple assists and putouts.

+ Gael Martinez, SS/RHP (Rancho Mirage, 2026)

Martinez delivered a dominant two-way performance, tossing a no-hitter with 15 strikeouts over six innings. At the plate he added four hits, two doubles, three runs scored, and two stolen bases.

+ Gavin Giese, RHP (Dana Hills, 2026) — USD commit

Giese delivered a strong outing against Great Oak, striking out 11 across six innings while issuing just one walk. The right-hander controlled the game from start to finish.

+ Landon Hovermale, RHP (Norco, 2026)

Hovermale continued his dominant season, tossing six shutout innings against Gahr. The right-hander is now 3-0 with 18.2 innings pitched and a 0.00 ERA.

+ Isaiah Arroyo, CF (Mt. Pleasant, 2026)

Arroyo had one of the top offensive performances of the week, hitting for the cycle and adding a grand slam. He finished 5-for-6 with eight RBIs in the standout game.

+ Matt Maxon, RHP (Carmel, 2026) — Stanford commit

Maxon threw a complete game shutout against Palma, allowing just three hits while striking out ten. The Stanford commit controlled the game throughout the seven-inning performance.

+ Blake Porter, SS (Vintage, 2026) — USF commit

Porter delivered an outstanding offensive week, going 7-for-8 with a double, triple, home run, three RBIs, and five runs scored. He also led off one game with a triple and another with a home run.

+ Evan Barak, 1B (Calabasas, 2026)

Barak led his team to a 2-0 week, including a walk-off ground-rule double in a 1-0 extra inning win. He went 5-for-9 with a home run, double, four RBIs, and four runs scored.

+ Rowan Ball, RF (Petaluma, 2026)

Ball delivered a strong week at the plate, going 4-for-9 with a home run and three RBIs while drawing four walks. He continues to produce with a .455 batting average and strong on-base presence.

+ Finn Dionne, P/3B (Willow Glen, 2026)

Dionne contributed on both sides of the ball, earning a win and a save across two appearances while allowing no runs. He also drove in four RBIs at the plate during the week.

+ Brody Schumaker, SS (Santa Margarita, 2026) — TCU commit

Schumaker had a huge offensive week, going 6-for-9 with a grand slam, a double, 10 RBIs, and three stolen bases. He highlighted the week with a 7-RBI performance against Los Osos.

+ Jack Rudd, C/1B (Willow Glen, 2026)

Rudd continued his strong start to the season, going 8-for-12 with five runs scored and a walk. He is now hitting .467 with consistent production in the lineup.

+ Tanner Abbott, LHP/1B (Gridley, 2026) — UCSB commit

Abbott delivered a dominant two-way performance. On the mound he struck out 17 across seven innings while allowing just one hit. At the plate he went 7-for-14 with three doubles, five runs scored, four RBIs, and three stolen bases.

+ Christian Ipsen, RHP (Oaks Christian, 2026) — NYU commit

Ipsen continued his strong season with a dominant outing against Hart, throwing 6+ innings while allowing just one hit and no runs. He now holds a 0.98 ERA across 21.1 innings.

+  Eric Alonso, RHP (Lower Lake, 2026)

Alonso provided solid relief innings against Justin-Siena, allowing just one run across two innings against a strong lineup.

+ Brody Shields, SS (Lower Lake, 2027)

Shields contributed offensively with a base hit against Justin-Siena, going 1-for-3 in the game while also contributing on the mound.

+ Drew Taylor, CF/C (Linfield Christian, 2026) — California Baptist commit

Taylor delivered a huge offensive week, going 6-for-9 with three home runs, a double, and multiple RBIs across games. He added clutch hitting including a game-tying home run and go-ahead RBI knock. Taylor is now hitting .522 with a 1.775 OPS.

+ Mason Hawk, RHP (Santa Teresa, 2026) — Oregon Tech commit

Hawk followed up with another strong outing, throwing 5.1 innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out eight. He now has 15 strikeouts across 11.1 innings.

+ Roy Kim, RHP (Great Oak, 2027) — Stanford commit

Salinas delivered a strong outing, striking out 10 across 5.2 innings while allowing just one earned run. He now holds a 1.90 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 10.2 innings.

+ Matt Long, IF/OF (Saugus, 2026) — Macalester commit

Long had a strong week at the plate, collecting seven hits with a home run, five RBIs, and six runs scored. He posted a strong on-base presence with a .700 OBP.

+ Lennex Minor, RHP/MI (St. Bernard, 2028)

Minor delivered a big offensive performance, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam, four RBIs, and two runs scored. He is now hitting .562 with nine hits and six RBIs across six games.

Coaches, do you have a Player of the Week or top performer you'd like to nominate? You can bookmark this link and be sure to check your email inbox each Sunday night and Monday morning for our request. Simply send weekly details/stats to our scouting staff by Monday.

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
San Diego Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/21	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Corona High School - Corona, CA
NorCal Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	03/29	Delta College - Stockton, CA
Central Coast Rising Stars ID (2030-2031 Grads)	CA	04/11	Buena High School - Ventura, CA
SoCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/03	Santa Ana, CA
NorCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/09	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
High Desert Summer ID	CA	06/17	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Bay Area Summer ID	CA	06/30	Islanders Field - Lathrop, CA
San Diego Summer ID	CA	06/30	Maranatha Christian - San Diego, CA
Central Coast Summer ID	CA	07/08	Buena High School - Ventura, CA

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